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Health Benefits of Black Vinegar

by Christine Switzer

About Christine Switzer

Christine Switzer has been a freelance writer since 2007. She contributes to travel and regional periodicals such as "Georgetown View" and "Burlington the Beautiful" and she enjoys writing on travel, lifestyle and the workplace. Switzer holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and a Master of Arts in English and has taught university courses in communication, public speaking and journalism.

Overview

Popular in China and Japan as a health tonic or drink, black rice vinegar is reputed to have an array of health benefits, similar to apple cider vinegar and other vinegars. Black vinegar has a deep color and a full, rich flavor, making it a tasty ingredient for dipping sauces and braised dishes. The vinegar can also be used as a fat- and cholesterol-free alternative to balsamic vinegar. Black rice vinegar is most often made from unpolished rice, millet, wheat or sorghum.

Cholesterol Reduction

Authors Lisa Solieri and Paolo Giudici note in the book “Vinegars of the World,” that black rice vinegars have long been used in China and Japan as natural treatments for the heart and blood vessels. The authors explain that black vinegar contains acetic acid, an organic acid that may help your body reduce glucose or sugar levels in your blood. As a result, black vinegar can have a long-term, preventative effect with an array of cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, artery disease, heart disease and stroke.

Energy Production

Black rice vinegar has been credited with helping to boost energy production and as a result, benefit a number of body systems. Dr. James Heffley, in the Austin Chronicle article “To Your Health,” explains that black vinegar contains high levels of citric acid, which is essential for the metabolic processes that help your body convert food into energy. Citric acid, in fact, helps to boost your body’s energy production over and above normal levels. Many body systems benefit from the increased energy, including your digestion and immune system.

Cancer Prevention

Black rice vinegar contains high levels of antioxidants, which may help to reduce your risk of some types of cancer. Solieri and Giudici explain that black rice vinegar may have the potential to combat the activity of damaging free radicals, which contribute to the development of cancer. The authors not that this vinegar might be able to combat the development of tumors as well.

Health Promotion

Cal Orey, the author of "The Healing Powers of Vinegar: A Complete Guide to Nature’s Most Remarkable Remedy,” explains that black rice vinegar contains many essential amino acids, which your body uses for everything from repairing muscle tissue to growing your nails. Orey says that the amino acids contained in black vinegar may help to balance your body’s pH, both neutralizing lactic acid and alkalizing the blood, as well as to heal everyday ailments ranging from congestion to constipation.